The Alabama in the Civil War Message Board

Confederate Congressman of Lawrence County

Obituary of Lawrence County's Confederate Congressman:

Death of Hon. Thomas J. Foster

Hon Thomas J. Foster is no more of earth. The grand old man breathed his last on the 12th inst., at his home in this county, in the 75th year of his age.
The deceased was born at Nashville, Tenn. He was the son of Robert C. Foster, one of the first settlers of Nashville, who in his early manhood removed from his native county of Fairfax, Va., to the the "Far West," and settled in 1794 first at Bardstown, Ky., and from thence removed to Nashville, where he lived and died in mature old age, after participating prominently in every enterprise tending to build up his adopted city, and to develop the great resources of Middle Tennessee. He represented his county in the State Legislature, then holding its sessions at Knoxville, and was at one time President of the State Senate. He was one of the founders of the Nashville University, of which he was an efficient Trustee during his life, and assisted in inaugurating the system of Macadamized Turnpike roads, which accomplished so much prosperity for Middle Tennessee. He reared a family of seven sons, of whom Thomas J. was the youngest, and bestowed on them all a liberal education. Several of them attained eminence in politics and in three professions. One of their number, Hon. Ephraim H. Foster, was for a period of years the avowed leader of the grand old Whig party, of Tennessee, and was by general acknowledgement perhaps the most popular man in the State. He represented Tennessee in the United States Senate at a time when Clay, Webster and Calhoun were members of that august body, and when it was truly an honor to be a Senator.
The subject of this notice, at the early age of twenty-four years, was married to Virginia Watkins, daughter of Maj. Robert H. Watkins, a wealthy planter of this county. Soon after his marriage he removed to Lawrence County, Ala., and settled upon the plantation where he died.
He was a judicious and successful planter, and amassed an immense fortune, which was lost in the vicissitudes and results of the civil war.
In political and social affairs, he was always public spirited and prominent, and his capacious soul was ever alive to the prosperity and glory of his country.
When the troubles were brooding which culminated in the disastrous civil war, he was firmly opposed to secession–a separate State action–and advocated conference and co operation of the Southern States, for the purpose of obtaining redress of wrongs and security for the future, but when President Lincoln issued his Proclamation declaring war against the South, like a true patriot he embraced the cause of his beloved South, and thenceforth devoted all the energies of his ardent and resolute spirit to the cause, and continued to render signal and distinguished services until the last gun was fired. Conceiving the importance of military defences [sic] on the Tennessee river, he urged upon the Confederate authorities the erection of fortifications theron, and under Gen. Tighlman aided in locating and constructing Fort Henry, and then remained on active duty until that Fort was evacuated.
In 1861 he was elected to the Confederate Congress–was re elected in 1863, and served the country and district with signal ability until the overthrow of the Confederacy.
On his entrance into Congress he at once participated in the important debates of that body, attracting notice as a graceful orator and skillful debater, and for the comprehension and maturity of his opinions.
In 1865 he was elected to the Federal Congress, over Gen. Garth, of Morgan, and Hon. C.C. Sheats, of Winston, but in consequence of the intensely harsh and vindictive policy of the Government towards the offending Southern States, he was denied his seat in Congress, and like others of his distinguished class, was constrained to consider himself fortunate in being able to secure his own pardon and exemption from punishment.
Col. Foster was a man of commanding appearance, bland and agreeable manners, with a practical mind, and superior conversational powers. He was a man of decided convictions:
"He would not flatter Neptune for his trident,
Or Jove, for his power to thunder."
The arts of the demagogue he disdained to use. He was a devoted patriot, true to his country as the needle to the pole. As husband, parent, neighbor and friend, he was all that love could claim or humanity enjoin.
In his death the present generation have to lament the loss of a notable type and representative of a noble generation of men now almost passed away, who bravely endured the perils and struggles of the terrible transition in our social and political condition, and of them one who loved to see and rejoice over the re-established peace, prosperity and glory of his country.
(Moulton Advertiser [Lawrence County, AL] 24 Feb 1887)
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While serving in the Confederate Congress, Thomas Foster in 1862 resided at the Arlington House, Richmond, VA. He served on the following committees:

Territories and Public Lands--Wilcox, Texas, Marshall, Louisiana, Jenkins, Virginia, Freeman, Missouri, Foster, Alabama, Batson, Arkansas, Lewis, Georgia, Ewing, Kentucky, Menees, Tennessee.

Accounts--McQueen, South Carolina, Foster, Alabama, Kenan, North Carolina, Strickland, Georgia, Hanly, Arkansas.

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